“We shall never forget,” said U.S. Attorney Alicia A.G. Limtiaco in her remarks, as she reminded the people about their “sacred duty to support our troops.”
The ultimate sacrifice of our “fallen heroes,” Limtiaco said, left a “legacy — a safer and more resilient America.”
She also thanked and paid tribute to the sons and daughters of the Pacific serving the U.S. military for their “sacrifice and selflessness.”
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder delivered his special message through a video presentation.
Among those who attended the ceremony were family members of servicemembers who died in action during the War on Terror:
• SPC Derence W. Jack, Army, FSM-Pohnpei
• SGT Jesse J.J. Castro, Army, Guam
• CPL Leeroy A. Camacho, Army, Saipan
• PFC Victor M. Fontanilla, Army, Tinian
• SGT Brian S. Leon Guerrero, Army, Guam
• SGT Joshua A. Lukeala, Army, Guam
• SSG Julian A. Manglona, Army, Tinian
“It brings back the memories. He was a great kid. He’s brave, very independent. Today, it just reminds me how good he was when he was still alive,” said Frances Quichocho, mother of PFC Fontanilla.
Fontanilla died in Iraq four years ago. He was 23.
Attorney Ray Quichocho, Mrs. Quichocho’s husband, thanked the U.S. Attorney’s Office for this “ opportunity to remind us of our freedom.”
This commemoration ceremony is a “great reminder to take care of our soldiers still fighting for us,” he added.
Rose Deleon Guerrero, mother of SGT Deleon Guerrero, told Variety it was a “very touching ceremony.”
“We’re very proud of our fallen heroes,” said Mrs. Deleon Guerrero whose son died in Afghanistan in 2008. He was 35.
Marvin K. Seman, CNMI special assistant for Homeland Security, said the islands join the rest of the nation in “paying tribute and commemorating the victims of 9/11 as well as our men and women in uniform.”
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos yesterday signed a proclamation designating September as National Preparedness Month.
“Protecting the homeland is always priority,” Seman said. “So if you see something unusual, say something.”
Minute of silence
Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan yesterday issued an invitation for everyone in the CNMI to observe a minute of silence in commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the tragic loss of life that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001 and in memory of the lives lost in the war against terrorists that followed that day.
“Please join me in observing a moment of silence at 10:46 p.m. Chamorro Standard Time on Sept. 11, 2011….
“We live…with the continuing pain of loss of 14 of our sons and daughters of the Northern Mariana Islands, young people who answered their country’s call and took up arms against terrorism. In that minute of silence next Sunday, 9/11, let us especially remember their names and the prayer for the welfare of the families they left behind:
• Army SGT Yihjyh “Eddie” L. Chen,
• Army SSG Wilgene T. Lieto,
• Army SPC Derence W. Jack,
• Army SGT Jesse J. Castro,
• Marine LCpl Adam Q. Emul,
• Army SPC Leeroy A. Camacho,
• Army PFC John D. Flores,
• Army PFC Victor M. Fontanilla,
• Army SPC Joe G. Charfauros Jr.,
• Navy Seaman Anamarie SanNicolas Camacho,
• Army SGT Brian S. Leon Guerrero,
• Army SGT Julian F. Manglona,
• Air Force SrA Audra P.M. Winkfield, and
• Marine Cpl Dave M. Santos.
“May we never forget those we have lost, or those still risking their lives in service to their country,” Sablan said.
